Prime Site in Cheltenham Town Centre to be Delivered by Wavensmere Homes
Wavensmere Homes is confirmed as the development partner for a prime brownfield site located on the edge of Cheltenham town centre, for a proposed landmark mixed-tenure residential development.
Currently a surface level car park, the site on North Place extends to 13,400 sq m. The land was originally purchased by BBS Capital. Wavensmere Homes has bought into the scheme, continuing a successful joint venture relationship between the two firms, which started with the £175m Nightingale Quarter in Derby city centre.
Pre-application discussions have taken place with Cheltenham Borough Council to regenerate the site and deliver in the region of 150 much-needed EPC-A rated new homes. Glancy Nicholls Architects has been appointed to design a scheme that reflects the significant opportunity for exemplary placemaking. A planning application comprising a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments, three-bedroom townhouses and ‘pocket parks’ is likely to be ready to submit in Autumn 2023.
James Dickens, Managing Director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “The acquisition of this prime site in central Cheltenham could deliver 150 highly sustainable new homes and transform a blot on the landscape in the process. This site has been considered for development for over a decade, with various parties not being able to bring it forward successfully. We are proud to be working alongside BBS Capital to propose a scheme to the Council that overcomes the complexities and will greatly enhance the street scene along North Place and St Margaret’s Road.
“Our plans for the scheme include both apartments and townhouses, as we want to offer young professionals, families, and older people, appropriate and attainable new homes that enable them to significantly lower their carbon footprint. We are continuing to work alongside all stakeholders and look forward to submitting a full planning application.”
Plans for the four-storey apartment building – to front St Margaret’s Road – are designed to be in keeping with the principles of Cheltenham’s Central Conservation Area. Consultation with locals has determined a render and brick material palette as being most suitable for the enhancement of the street scene.
Wavensmere Homes’ proposals promote sustainable development through the use of low carbon materials, modern methods of construction, and renewable energy generation. The environmental impact of the project has been considered carefully with ‘pocket parks’ and additional green spaces incorporated to deliver biodiversity net gains.
Nick Spencer, Director, and Co-Founder at BBS Capital said: “We are delighted to once again be working with Wavensmere Homes. This site is positioned within a highly desirable area of Cheltenham, where the rich historical context has shaped the design ethos. Located very close to the range of quality restaurants and shops at The Brewery Quarter the homes being proposed here will be in very high demand. Subject to planning, this multi-million-pound residential project is set to deliver new investment and jobs, while creating highly sustainable homes on brownfield land.”
Councillor Rowena Hay, leader at Cheltenham Borough Council added: ‘’The proposals for the redevelopment of North Place – providing much needed, attainable homes for professionals, families and older people in an area people want to live and work in – is a shining example of what can be achieved when the borough council and developers work together to realise their ambitions and create something really special for the benefit of Cheltenham.
“The proposed development at this central, brownfield site is important as it connects key areas of the town together, including Pittville Park on the one side, through North Place, to the thriving Brewery Quarter, the lower high street Poundland site which will see a mixed-use redevelopment, through to the state-of-the-art MX workspace and Minster Gardens. Good connectivity cuts down on travel times, increases opportunities and health and wellbeing, reduces isolation and is crucial for the economy. The development will of course have the environment in mind, ensuring the build is sensitive to its surroundings, has rich green spaces to encourage biodiversity and uses modern methods of construction and low carbon materials.’’
The North Place scheme is being designed as a new residential square, with a centralised community green. The housing is orientated around the green to create a neighbourhood typology. The vehicular route has been kept to the perimeter to ensure the heart of the site remains car free. A green corridor/boulevard is proposed through the centre, which would link Northfield Passage to St Margarets Road. This layout will provide opportunities for improved biodiversity and sustainable drainage.
A collection of three-bedroom dual aspect townhouses that have been designed for the scheme look out onto the community green. Each property of this kind will include EV car charging/parking provision, and a garden space at the front. Additional private amenity space for these houses will be provided across two roof terraces.
Wavensmere Homes is constructing three major urban regeneration schemes, located in central Birmingham, Derby city centre, and Ipswich, and has further projects – in addition to North Place – in the immediate pipeline. The Edgbaston-headquartered housebuilder has around 3,500 new homes either under construction or in planning.
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